Slice of Life

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Gnomes to stay on utility poles

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Small paintings of gnomes that have popped up on utility poles have become a community sensation in Oakland, prompting Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to say that it will keep them in place for now.

The hand-painted portraits on 6-inch blocks of wood began going up last year in an apparent effort to brighten up the blue-collar California city. There are currently more than 2,000 of the images on utility poles, with many screwed to the bases.

The gnomes have red hats, white beards and brown shoes. Some of the images contain a mushroom.

Word that PG&E planned to remove the paintings sparked an outpouring of support from residents who said the gnomes add character to the city.

PG&E spokesman Jason King planned to meet with the artist, who requested to remain anonymous, and a member of the City Council. The utility hopes to eventually relocate the gnome paintings from the poles to other spots in the same neighborhoods.

“We’ve received a lot of feedback from residents who love the gnomes,” King told The Associated Press. “We’re looking for solutions. We’ll keep them where people can enjoy them.”

King said PG&E did not want to encourage such installations, explaining a proliferation of such images could cause damage or make it difficult for crews to access the poles.

Beer after breakoutBURGETTSTOWN (AP) — Police say a western Pennsylvania man stopped at a bar and had a beer minutes after he broke out of a police station holding cell after his arrest on an assault charge.

The Washington County public defender’s office on Wednesday declined to comment on the charges filed against 40-year-old Smith Township resident Timothy Bonner.

Police say they were processing Bonner, removed his handcuffs, and placed him in the cell. That’s when Bonner allegedly knocked the cell door off its hinges and ran away.

After stopping at a house to borrow shoes, police say Bonner went to Richy’s Bar, where a customer tells WPXI-TV (http://bit.ly/T6R6zl ) the suspect acknowledged breaking out of jail and then asked for a beer.

The customer says he bought a beer for Bonner, who didn’t get to enjoy it before police arrested him.

The New Castle News reports that the woman told police that she usually keeps a large bear trap at the bottom of her basement steps, but forgot to set it on Sunday, when a burglar stole tools from the home.

Police say they suggested the woman find a different way of protecting her home from intruders.

Odd speed limitASPEN, Colo. (AP) — Aspen city council members are considering a 14 mph speed limit in a residential area of the Colorado mountain town in attempt to get the attention of drivers and have them slow down.

Residents say few drivers are obeying the current 25 mph speed limit and are ignoring other efforts to protect people.

The Aspen Times reports Mayor Mick Ireland suggested an 18 mph limit because the number is out of the ordinary for a speed limit. After further discussion, council members decided to drop the proposed limit down to 14 mph.